Galaxy properties and the cosmic web in simulations

TL;DR

This paper investigates how galaxy properties are influenced by their local cosmic web environment using cosmological simulations, revealing environment-dependent variations in halo and galaxy characteristics.

Contribution

It introduces a framework to analyze galaxy and halo properties within the cosmic web structure in hydrodynamical simulations, highlighting the web's role in shaping galaxy formation.

Findings

Halo mass functions vary with environment

Galaxy properties strongly depend on host halo mass

The cosmic web influences galaxy formation processes

Abstract

We seek to understand the relationship between galaxy properties and their local environment, which calls for a proper formulation of the notion of environment. We analyse the GIMIC suite of cosmological hydrodynamical simulations within the framework of the cosmic web as formulated by Hoffman et al., focusing on properties of simulated DM haloes and luminous galaxies with respect to voids, sheets, filaments and knots - the four elements of the cosmic web. We find that the mass functions of haloes depend on environment, which drives other environmental dependence of galaxy formation. The web shapes the halo mass function, and through the strong dependence of the galaxy properties on the mass of their host haloes, it also shapes the galaxy-(web) environment dependence.